HI! I have a Yellow Tailed Damsel in a 55g. I bought a Yellow Tang just 3 days ago, and right when I put it in, the Damsel swam to it and chased it around. The problem is, I took it out cause I had enough! Since I don't have another tank, I kept him inside a huge net. Strangely, his color went from blue to a really light purple. I looked a the other Yellow Tailed Damsel I have to see if he had any effect but, he was just fine. I really need to know. I'm worried he might die. Any suggestions?

If I understand you, the fish is still in the display, just confined to a net...
(damsel jail?) 1. Remove it to your LFS before the associated stress creates more problems for you my friend. 2. Adopt FloridaBoy's first rule of marine aquariums; get a quarantine tank._________________Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

rearrange the decore in your tank... this may help stop the aggression, but for future reference, get a QT tank... any new fish should be QT for 4 weeks at least. Also a 55 Gallon is a bit on the small size for a full size yellow tang... I would consider upgrading in the future.

OK thanks, I don't get why a 55GALLON tank is to small like you said but looks pretty big to me. I still need to know why his color is changing. Its getting lighter and lighter purple by the day. Thanks but more help please!

thanks,
DesperateGuy

Last edited by Fish Lover on 2005.02.01(Tue)13:57; edited 1 time in total

he's getting lighter because he is stressed... 55 gallons is not large by no means... your tang alone can get 8 inches long, and they NEED a lot of swimming space... rearrange the decore and you can put the damsel back in the tank... most likely the aggression will stop.

actually from what I alwasy hear and read is that 50g (us) is the minimum for yellow tangs. thats what I read thats what people say. how big is your yellow tang at the moment? release the damsel anyways let them make a pecking order whos stronger than who. my old 3 4 striped damsels and my large tommato clown had a pretty strict rule of who was boss. it was the clown then the damel no1 and so on. the only fish that didn't seem to matter was the goby no one bothered him.

The books I have all say the minimum for a yellow tang is 75 Gallon. The damsel is extremely stressed. If it gets anymore stressed, it will get a disease which will then spread so release it back into the tank. Damsels tend to be aggressive to new comers but eventually accept them. Try releasing it back and if it still chases the tang for more than 3 days, pull it out and bring it back to the LFS. Good luck_________________370 Gallon Marine FO
20 Gallon Hardy Inverts
55 Gallon Hardy Inverts
10 Gallon Planted
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Assorted Reptile Species

I'm no expert but IIRC tangs are built for speed(need lots of swimming space) this is why a 55 isnt enough space. Its like having a really fast car but only living in the city and not having enough space to open er up